9
FEVER
As the sun sets on summer, it's time to prepare for winter - and
timely to remember the tale of the grasshopper and ants.
The grasshopper spent summer playing all day, partying all night
and laughing at the ants preparing for cold and dark winter. When
the temperature dropped and the rain set in, the grasshopper had
no food or shelter while the ants were sitting pretty. He begged the
ants to help him, but they refused and the grasshopper perished.
In Auckland, you're not likely to perish if you don't 'winter proof' your
home but you could end up with some hefty bills and unexpected -
and unwelcome - surprises if you leave things to chance. Now is the
time to make like the ants and get a few things done in preparation
for colder and wetter weather.
Roof and gutter maintenance:
You should carry out an annual roof inspection and clean, which
involves checking your roof cladding, chimneys and flashings for
leaks and general wear and tear.
Before you climb up onto the roof, there are a couple of safety
issues to remember. There's a high risk of slips and falls so wear
firm but flexible shoes with a good grip and don't be up there when
it's raining or excessively windy.
If you're working on the roof on a hot day, the sun smart messages
apply: wear a hat, plenty of sunscreen and light but protective
clothing and drink lot of fluids. Preferably non-alcoholic ones; save
the cold beer as a reward for when the job is done.
Walk only on the lines of nails on steel roofing and on the front edge
of tiles on tiled roofs.
If you're not confident about roof maintenance - or don't like heights
- call a professional! The most important thing to remember about
any sort of DIY is to know your limits and stick to them.
Most household roofs in New Zealand are made from galvanised or
coated steel, followed by coated metal and concrete tiles. Check
with the manufacturer what maintenance is required for your kind
of roof.
Flashings are waterproof materials fitted to cover a joint or junction
in the roof to prevent water and moisture penetration. These may
not last as long as the actual roofing material so double check these
and anything else - pipes, flues - that penetrate a roof.
Regularly cleaning debris away from your roof helps keep it
waterproofed. This is because debris, especially from plants, can
collect on top of the roof, get damp and start to rot causing the
roofing material to deteriorate. It also reduces the likelihood of
blocked guttering around the roof.
The easiest way to clean your roof is to sweep it down with long-
handled and firm bristled brush. Over-hanging and broken tree
branches can scratch and damage tiled and corrugated iron roofs;
climbing plants, like wisteria and ivy, can grow under tiles and metals
sheets eventually tearing or raising them. (Pull them out - and while
on the subject of trees and plants, have a look round your garden for
any trees or branches that are in danger of toppling over on a windy
day and take action to ensure they are made safe).
Once the roof is clean, clean the gutters by removing all the leaves,
debris, soil and sometimes birds' nests from them. It's a good idea
to use gloves or, if the material is wet, a small gardening trowel.
You can finish the gutter clean by sweeping with a brush and then
hosing out to remove finer particles.
There's a range of gutter protectors which can be put over gutters
and downpipes to prevent debris from entering and building up.
However, if you've got small-leafed trees, like manuka or kanuka,
this debris can still find its way into your gutters.
Blocked gutters can cause flooding problems; so can blocked and
broken drains. Tree roots can crack earthenware drainage pipes,
so check you've got no issues before the winter rain arrives.
You'll need to find out from the manufacturer of your roofing surface
what type of treatment it might need. Paint-on membranes can need
re-coating every six - eight years; others might need cleansing.
Make your home warmer and drier
Making your home warmer, drier and a healthier place to live isn't just
about turning on an extra heater. Insulation, heating and ventilation
work together to create a more comfortable environment.
• Ventilation maintains air quality and removes moisture from your
home, which can reduce dampness. In summer, we simply open
doors and windows; this might not be an option in winter.
Home ventilation systems use fans to move air into the house and
may provide an alternative to opening doors and windows. These
are not heating systems, though, and if you're concerned about
damp, mould and mildew you need to find out where this originates
from and fix the sources of it.
• Insulation makes it easier and cheaper to heat your home and
also reduces moisture and mildew buildup. It can be as easy as
eliminating draughts around window and door frames and installing
better quality curtains.
It's sensible to insulate first. Generally, start with the ceiling as hot
air rises meaning most heat is lost through the ceiling. Then insulate
under your floor and consider installing double glazing.
How much you insulate depends on how cold your house can
get. The World Health Organisation recommends the following
minimum indoor temperatures, which are supported by our Ministry
of Health:
• A minimum of 18 ˚C or a minimum of 20 ˚C for more vulnerable
groups like children, the elderly and people who are ill.
• A minimum of 16 ˚C in your bedroom overnight.
• Heating makes your home warmer, more comfortable and is easier
to do when you have adequate insulation to keep that heat in.
What type of heater you choose will be influenced by the size of
your home, how cold it gets, the number of rooms you use and your
budget. Options include heat pumps, woodburners, wood pellet
burners, flued gas heaters, electric heaters and central heating.
There's a lot to think about, but don't delay! Now is the time to get
winter ready.
Keep out the moisture
this Winter